Getting Internet Installed/Connected during Coronavirus??

Marshall10189

Hi all, 

I had to do an emergency house move during Coronavirus after my old flat developed a rat infestation  - I've moved into a new build apartment. Openreach service the whole building - I have a little Openreach box in my cupboard. I ordered broadband/TV from BT and have now received an email advising they can't send an engineer until earliest 17th of July. 

This now leaves me without home phone/internet for 12 weeks, in a city, away from my family and I'm really quite upset (sad not angry) about it. 

My mobile phone signal (three) isn't strong enough to tether and connection is poor for my mobile. 

I've tried to have a look on the ofcom website and read the government advice but BT are just repeatedly saying "NO, nothing we can do, government banned new installations". 

Is there anything I can do? 

calcotti

Appears to be an Openreach policy
https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2020/03/covid-19-openreach-stop-uk-broadband-isp-and-phone-work.html

Grumpy_chap

If you already have the BTOR line physically installed to the property and live (that can be tested remotely), then can they provide a modem by post with instructions for you to plug it in and set up.

Alternatively, we had a similar need a couple of years back and found a brilliant solution at Argos.  They sold us an EE 3G MEE wifi for £90.  It worked really well and lasted ages doing just 'work' type stuff.  Obviously, it would not last as long if downloading Netflix all day.  I just checked the Argos website, and they still do a very similar product for the same price we paid, but it is now 4G, so better presumably.  I know you said your 3 mobile signal is too weak, but EE might be better - can you ask a neighbour or similar if they use EE network and how good it is?

Jeremy535897

BT normally just send out a home hub and instructions on how to connect it. I suspect there is more of an issue with infrastructure here.

Dr_Crypto

Years ago when I was moving between rented flats regularly I had a Vodafone "dongle" which plugged into my USB. It used 3G (I think it was then, as 4G hadn't come out). It seems to be a similar thing to what Grumpy Chap has suggested. 
They still do them (or probably better versions of the one I had): https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile-broadband/pay-monthly-contracts/dongles/vodafone/k5161-dongle?cid=ppc-UK_19_AO_P_X_J_I_D_CBU_BAU_Drive_Text-Brand_Google_PAYM-MBB_Dongles_MBB_Mix_Mix_NA_Exact&kpid=go_cmp-9995319522_adg-101089333575_ad-433762599994_kwd-296995238298_dev-c_ext-_prd-&vfadid=9995319522&gclid=CjwKCAjwqdn1BRBREiwAEbZcR-ggFlmqDL1xJmfotOxWNlwerJlKIUBflsOVyRQrZbv9c2bt52bxFBoCgrgQAvD_BwE 

ThunderHoof

You need to try a sim card from another operator with its own network infrastructure such as EE or O2.